Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma in three patients with COVID-19: Computed tomography findings.

Abstract

The pulmonary symptoms secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome in coronavirus (COVID-19) infections are the most common presentation for the disease; however, it is now known that in a small portion of patients, severe hemorrhagic complications can also be seen. In this report, three cases of elderly women with known COVID-19 infection, developing spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma on anticoagulation therapy, are presented. Three cases presented above emphasize the need to perform a computed tomography examination after a sudden hemodynamic deterioration and a decrease in hemoglobin count in COVID-19 patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Since this clinical deterioration can be caused by spontaneous rectus sheath hematomas (RSH), it must be taken into consideration while examination. If these RSHs rupture into the abdominal cavity, the outcome may be fatal in few hours as represented in two of our cases. Major spontaneous hemorrhage in COVID-19 patients is quite uncommon; therefore, it may cause serious complications as it is rarely taken into consideration. Failure to acknowledge such a risk could significantly worsen the prognosis of the patients especially in ERs and ICUs.